Space!

The concent not insignificant.  Using the technology based after the film made by Charles and Ray Eames, on the website "Powers of 10," the creators give site-viewers a tiered view of a man from space.  As the viewers increase the power of 10 level of magnification, they can zoom out into space or in to see the smallest atomic makeup of the man's hand.  What is the most interesting thing about this interactive website is that the 10e19 power zoomed out into space looks almost the same as the 10e-11 zoomed into the man's hand!  This art lets us see that, whether were looking from thousands of light-years away at the Earth or so close at a man's hand that we no longer can se his skin, we are almost looking at the same image.

[The photo to the right is zoomed out from the man 10e19 times and the one on the left is zoomed in 10e-11 times.]

 To me, this is one of the most incredible pieces of interactive art because it demonstrates the concentricity and seemingly repetitive nature of the universe.  These images allow philosophers and scientists to pose even the deepest questions of space like: what if there are miniature universes within us all, as suggested by these two zoomed photographs.

The concentric circles of orbiting planets spiraling around the sun is an image that many artists use to inspire their space artwork because of the beautiful repetitive nature.   For example, mobiles and sculptures have been  based off the solar system by these artists.

Some artists, like B.E. Johnson, use the combination of photos taken from space and the computer to generate images of great expanses of space.  Below is an example of his work, that a corresponding webpage describes the great deal of work that goes into producing images like this to ensure accuracy.

All in all, this exploration of the universe we live in is being aided and furthered by art.  Without the outlet B.E. Johnson uses, artists couldn't propose space scenes like this or what space could one-day transform into.  Art, like the work done by the Eames scientist or the resulting website (http://powersof10.com) that came out from the movie, inspires questions of the univers and serves dually to entertain and educate the public!

"Powers of Ten. Based on the film by Charles and Ray Eames. An Eames Office Website." Powers of Ten. Based on the film by Charles and Ray Eames. An Eames Office Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. <http://powersof10.com>.

"BAM/PFA - Audio & Videocasts." BAM/PFA - Audio & Videocasts. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/podcasts/ATC/peljhan>.

"The Space Art of B.E.Johnson." Space Art, Astronomical Art, Advanced Concept, 3D Animation, Film. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. <http://imperialearth.com>.

http://img211.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20090418/12/42153069200904181208441790192522636_021_640.jpg

"Bonestell.org - The art of Chesley Bonestell." Bonestell.org - The art of Chesley Bonestell. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bonestell.org>.

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Space/Museum/VirtualTour/Image/w2.jpg

"Space Art @ Imperial Earth - Deimos Moon Base." Space Art @ Imperial Earth - Deimos Moon Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. <http://imperialearth.com/mars/deimosbase.html>.